Wellington (New Zealand), Aug. 11 (LaPresse/AP) – Australia will recognize a Palestinian state. This was announced on Monday by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, joining the leaders of France, Great Britain, and Canada. His statements came after weeks of calls from his government and many in Australia for recognition of the Palestinian state, and amid growing criticism from his government officials over the suffering and hunger in Gaza. The Australian government also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a new, radical military offensive in Gaza. Albanese told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday that Australia's decision to recognize a Palestinian state would be formalized at the UN General Assembly in September. The recognition was “based on commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian National Authority,” Albanese said. Those commitments included Hamas not playing a role in a Palestinian government, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the holding of elections, he added. “A two-state solution is humanity's best hope for breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East and ending the conflict, suffering, and hunger in Gaza,” Albanese said.
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